A Dublin-based student charged with the criminal damage of a US military aircraft at Shannon airport was last night barred from going within five miles of the airport.
At a special sitting of Gort District Court, Mr Eoin Dubsky (22), Whitewalls, Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford, agreed to the condition after being granted bail by Judge Joseph Mangan. Mr Dubsky - a 4th year student at Dublin City University - appeared in court charged with the criminal damage of a US Hercules aircraft between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. yesterday.
Opposing bail, Insp Tom Kennedy told the court that the alleged criminal damage by Mr Dubsky was "a very deliberate planned attack designed to draw attention to US aircraft refuelling at Shannon airport".
Insp Kennedy made an application that Mr Dubsky be remanded in custody because he feared he will "re-offend in the same fashion and manner if released".
Insp Kennedy told the court that after Mr Dubsky spray-painted "No War" and a peace symbol on the Hercules aircraft, he contacted and alerted airport authorities to his actions. Mr Dubsky was subsequently arrested by Shannon gardaí at 5.15 a.m.
Insp Kennedy said Mr Dubsky has been involved in a number of protests at Shannon airport, the latest being last Saturday fortnight. "On that occasion, he was very unco-operative and is not content to carry out a peaceful protest."
He said Mr Dubsky's presence in the airfield would pose enormous danger to other aircraft.
Judge Mangan rejected the State's application that Mr Dubsky be remanded in custody and remanded him on bail on his own surety of €200 to re-appear before Shannon District Court on October 17th.
Judge Mangan granted bail on the condition that Mr Dubsky not go within five miles of the 5.6-mile perimeter fence that protects the 960-acre airfield at Shannon airport.
